CORE

A collection of two Mesolithic to Neolithic (c. 8000 - 2400 BC) flint core fragments.

Core 1 is a small, and near exhausted, single platform conical flint core, probably dating to the Neolithic (c. 4000-2400 BC), although it could potentially be earlier. The core is of an orangey brown with with off-white patches. It is approximately conical in shape and a pointed oval in cross section. The striking platform has three flake removals taken horizontally to provide a flat and even striking surface.The flake taken from the outside edge of the core are elongate and parallel indicating blade manufacture. While at least four such removals are visible much of the core's edge is now irregular suggesting that the core had been used to exhaustion.

Core 2 is a small, and near exhausted, single platform conical flint core that retains a thin chalky white pebble cortex on its ventral surface. It probably dates to the Neolithic (c. 4000-2400 BC), although it could potentially be earlier. The core is of an dark grey flint with with one off-white patch it has a glossy patina. It is approximately sub-rectangular in profile and D-shaped in cross section. There are three flakes taken from the outside edge of the core which are elongated and parallel indicating blade manufacture.

Cylindrical and conical cores and the manufacture of blades, the width of these blade maybe characteristic of either Mesolithic or Neolithic use. These artefacts are part of a larger assemblage of other flint artefacts that has been found at the spot indicated. Those flints and chert pieces which can be dated appear to date from the Neolithic (starting c. 4000 BC), due to the presence of several end scrapers and the evidence of wide blade production, to the early Bronze Age (ending c.1600 BC), due to the presence of multi-platform working and thumbnail scrapers. However, it is not inconceivable that some of these flints may also date from the Mesolithic period as some pieces of debitage show narrow blade technology. Similarly scrapers have a wide period of use dating as late as even the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age the flints from these periods typically being coarse as some of the debitage found. The region has also had several other flints that cannot be confirmed as having been worked in the area which may indicate natural flint or liming.